the sad state of health....CARE?

Perhaps I expect too much from doctors. I suspect it's because my father was a physician and I thought every doctor should be like him. Dad was an internist, and at one time, the President of the State Society of Internal Medicine. He was a political activist, with a significant role in the malpractice crisis in the 70's. I remember seeing him on CBS's "newsmakers," talking about the malpractice crisis, sandwiched in between who I think was Abba Eban, and a pot-sniffing dog.

But the thing I remember most is that dad was a really good doctor. The type who was kind and caring, even more so to his often crabby and elderly patients than to his family. He isited his patients in the hospital even when he didn't have to, just to "check up" on them if he felt they needed it (which meant my sister and I often didn't get to the park or to zoo, or whatever other family outing had been planned), and who still made house calls if the situation warranted it.

Dad told me that he retired earlier than he'd planned, because the mountains of new forms and insurance requirements, plus the generally litigious atmosphere for doctors (he was never once sued for malpractice, by the way), meant that he could no longer provide medical care the way he used to do it. "medicine has turned into just a business," he sighed.

Yesterday, I tried calling a new doctor who had been recommended by a very close friend. I was immediately put on hold with one of these centrex systems that gives you a dozen choices, none of them exactly what you wanted to call about. But on hold I went....I waited....I waited...five minutes, ten minutes...I fixed my hair...fifteen minutes...I worked on my web site. All the while I was given a running tab of how many callers were ahead of me and was urged to "leave a message." Four callers...three callers...two callers (how many people could have been trying to get appointments)?

At twenty minutes, still stuck at two callers. I hung up. Stupidly, I tried again. on hold I went....I waited....I waited...five minutes, ten minutes......fifteen minutes...when the number jumped from three callers to five callers, I decided that the queue was rigged, and I'd spent enough time just trying to see if I could get an appointment.

I left a message.

I knew the message would not ever be returned (especially since I was not even a patient yet). It wasn't.

Today, I called very early. I got someone on the phone fairly quickly. She told me that the doctor I wanted to see (with a recommendation from one of her existing patients) wasn't seeing anyone until the end of May. But there were eight doctors in the "group," so I asked if maybe one of the other doctors might see me as I needed more immediate attention than a few months from now.

"No, no one can see you before May."

"But that's months from now, and I have a problem that really needs attention more quickly," I countered.

"You don't seem to GET when I'm telling you," the receptionist replied. "No one is seeing anyone before May."

"Do you mean to tell me that out of eight doctors, not one could squeeze me in before three months even with a problem?

"No." and it's not our problem, she replied.

Readers, am I expecting too much to be able to be treated civilly? There supposedly is a patients bill of rights, but it has nothing in it that really protects and serves the patients. DO we, like Jet Blue passengers, have to suffer serious consequences before someone wakes up and realizes that healthcare has turned into NOcare?

My father used to worry that this is what healthcare would come to and that we would all suffer because of it. He was correct. I leave it to you to decide whether our healthcare system gives people the ability to get care, and has it made our society, especially our health professionals, into a business that makes it impossible for them to care, at all?

Comments, please/

The 79th Academy Awards--bland and boring?

I don't generally find awards shows to be that interesting. They're generally bold-faced self-congratulatory spectator sports. The biggest and best known, (if not one of the oldest) bold-faced self-congratulatory spectator-driven, entertainment awards show of the year is the Academy Awards. Awarded annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the show awarding the golden statues of The Oscars are now an American Institution. Reams of paper, hours of television, and countless conversations will be focused on who said what, who won what, and who wore what. Sure, this is a self-congratulatory show that we get to attend only as distant observers, but it's supposed to be for the members of the Academy, not us. They get to vote and congratulate their own, and to recognize excellence in motion picture making, including acting, directing, screewriting, editing, musical score, costume design, and so forth.


I am sure there are politics involved, but in the end, there are just a finite number of Oscars given out, and those who win them may find their lives changed for better or for worse, forever by winning won (or losing one).

If I got these facts right, the Academy Awards began in Los Angeles way back in 1929 and they were first televised for "the masses" to view on NBC in 1953. The glitz and glamour of it all, spawaned by the powerful and highly effective publicity machines of the studios, especially back in "the day" focused the nation and then the world's attention on a select group of entertainers and directors. In the past,these awards shows were eagerly awaited by countesses and cleaning ladies, actors and the ladies at the old age homes, almost equally. The awards were only a part of the appeal. The rest included political protests, inappropriate behavior of various types, incomprehensible (and long) rants by winners, glamorous gowns and jewels, and outfits worn by both presenters and nominees so odd they garnered more press than the actual winners (eg. Cher's famous barely-there dress and feather headdress).

Ah, but last night's show was safe and secure, bland and boring At least that's how it was in my opinion, a bystander watching in an apartment so far from Los Angeles you couldn't get much farther away on the opposite coast. I think the show mirrored what's happening throughout the country right now, a cautious, semi-depressed approach to today and perhaps, the future. It was safe, but it wasn't exciting. The best moment was when tuxedo'd host Ellen DeGeneres asked Steven Spielberg to take her photo with Clint Eastwood to post on her myspace.com page. Yes, she actually has one. So do I: http://www.myspace.com/alisonsadvice
Mine has some good photos too, but none with celebrities like Steven or Clint or Ellen, of course. If they'd like to pose with me though, I'd be delighted to add them to my myspace.com page as well, and I'll even supply the camera!

The other moment that sticks in my mind most from the Oscars is Ms. DeGeneres, who was actually an affable, fast-paced, upbeat host, vacuming the front row and asking Penelope Cruz to hold up her dress so it wouldn't get sucked into the machine. I have no idea why she was vacuuming (it really wasn't that funny of a gag) but it was more interesting to watch the comedienne do that, than suffer through the necessary but boring "thank-you" acceptance speechesthat were mercifully) cut off by music after just a few minutes of "blah, blah blah-ing" about people the millions of people at home don't know or care about. I wished I'd been the one with something else to do besides listen to the endless acceptance speeches...even if it was housework.

I did like the human sculptures by Philobolus, made in the timely themes of the nominated best pictures, was also great.

And what of the fashions? Eh, yecchh....pale, bland and boring, mostly. A few too many jewelled necklines on otherwise uninteresting gowns, too many one-shoulder numbers, and ladies, look here: the messy bun look is getting tired, along with unglam, minimal makeup. I mean, if you're going to wear thousands of dollars in jewels and fabric, at last wear a lipstick that looks like you cared, and not just the beige gloss you'd wear with your jeans. Yes, everyone was playing it safe with appearance, including the long hair-extensioned look on Reese Witherspoon and Gwyneth Paltrow (who looked like she didn't have time to do anything with hers as it hung like long draperies, on her slim frame). Even the most interesting outfit wasn't really atttractive, but you have to give Meryl Streep her "props" for wearing something long and black by Prada, along with artsy, quite large pendant and bead necklaces (Meryl, where did you get them....I want some too!). Sort of "hippy-ish" it at least had originality and charm going for it, and it was far more sophisticated than the little, dingly, dangly diamonds that many of the presenters and nominees wore. The "older woman" look made me think that the oscar winning actress, Helen Mirren, had become too much a part of her Queen character. The pale, beaded champagne Christian Lacroix gown fit her fine, but the frumpy gown looked like a fancy mother of the bride dress that the real Queen might have worn. I'm glad Helen Mirren won for her role in "The Queen"(she really was wonderful) but the dress, was a definite loser. Other than Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman (in a bright red, column of a gown with a huge bow at the neck that only she could carry off well), the dresses looked like the average assortment you'd find at an upscale charity event...albeit with a few more baubles and longer trains. Jennifer Hudson, for example, wore a drapey Oscar de la Renta dress in a sort of bronze-y brown that hung like it was just an ordinary (and cheao) ready-to-wear bridesmaids dress. I would have loved to have seen her in some color and glitz as a "dreamgirl" should.

The men fared a bit better. After all, who doesn't look good in a tuxedo? Apparently, that was the same thought that crossed host Ellen DeGenere's mind, since she wore three of them: wine, white, and blue.

I stayed up to the very end, but like the winning movie, it was a predictable finish.

Free Promotion and a Chance to Do A Good Thing-please read

After writing a beauty and fashion review column for so many years, I've decided it's time to bring my writing up a notch, and share write a new kind of book about beauty, cosmetics, fashion, and fitness/wellness. The book I have in mind will give readers "how-to" information, but in a personal, empowering way.

To make it interesting, this project will rely heavily on input from professionals in the beauty biz (eg. hair stylists, fashion designers, makeup artists, designers, manicure divas, etc.) but also on other people not involved in these fields, but who are recognizable to the general public (eg. politicians, producers, actors & entertainers, astronauts, dancers, business moguls, athletes, trainers, celeb-u-tantes, rising stars, musicians, writers, etc.)

I'm reaching out to the general public, because the project relies a bit on the proverbial "six degrees of separation." I don't know who is reading this or who you might know, but many of you are already interesting, accomplished people. You probably know interesting, accomplished people, or work with them, or for them, or have friends or colleagues that do.

I'd like to do something new and interesting, and mutually beneficial. I'm asking that if you can, please contact me and share a suggestion about at least one person (or as many as you can think of) that you know that might be good people to include in this book. I'll be asking for a beauty/fashion/health/wellness tip from each, based on their interests, along with a personal quote about their experience with that particular topic. The advice will help people look great, feel great, and be great, and it will also be an excellent promotional vehicle for those who are included.

I'm a published author with a good track record and a great reputation. You can learn more about me from my web site: http://www.advicesisters.net or more specifically, here: http://www.advicesisters.net/aboutus3.html and here: http://www.advicesisters.net/alisonquodos.html and here: http://www.advicesisters.net/getthesisters3.html

Of course, full attribution will be given to every quote and tip there are photo opportunities and opportunities to add links (as resources), as well. PLEASE: CONTACT ME with suggestions on who you might be able to hook me up with for this project. YOu can reach me through the web site or at advicesisters (at) advicesisters (dot) net. Kindly leave your spam at home, though (wan smile).

Every suggestion will be taken seriously, so feel free to suggest yourself, or friends, or contacts, or clients, or even someone you know who has friends/contacts/clients who know and/or work with interesting people.

I don't want to give too much away in a public forum, but this project is going to blow the roof off the current competition in this genre! If my outreach works, it'll be a chance to do a good thing, and get back good things in return for all involved.

THANK YOU in advance for your assistance.

Alison

Guitar Shorty Rocks the House in Rockland County!

Last night my friends and I went to see Guitar Shorty at at club in Piermont New York. We have been following Shorty for more than 14 years. In fact, when we all had "important" birthdays, we hired Shorty and his band to play for us at a private party, amazing our guests and winning him dozens and dozens of new, instant fans. That's me next to Shorty, laughing hysterically. It was such an amazing experience! We hope to repeat our private concert with more friends and fans, in the not-too-distant future.

*photo by Alison Blackman

Guitar Shorty, whose real name is David Kearney, was born in Houston, Texas. He began playing guitar as a young boy, and when he moved to Tampa, Floria, when he was just 17, Kearney won a slot as a featured guitarist and vocalist in Walter Johnson's 18-piece orchestra. Since he was young and shorter than the rest of the band, the club owner dubbed in "Guitar Shorty," Soon, Shorty was playing with many of the greatest-of-the-great blues musicians, but he credits Willie Dixon with having a huge influence on him and his recording career. The photo above is Shorty performing by walking around in the crowd, last night.

In the early years, Shorty met guitarist/vocalist Guitar Slim, famous for his his athletic antics onstage. Shorty started doing backflips and other showy moves onstage. In fact, you can see a young Shorty on the Gong Show (which he WON) doing backflips and standing on his head. Watch celebrity judge Jaye P. Morgan's face while Shorty is performing, and hear her predicition that Shorty will be a star "if your head holds out!"


Shorty's life hasn't always been a bed of roses, but it hasn't just been "tough breaks and bad decisions" as the "Story of his life", either." He moved to Seattle and married Marsha Hendrix, Jimi's stepsister. Hendrix loved his Shorty and it's common knowledge that while Jimi was in the army (believe it or not) he would go AWOL from his Army base in order to catch Shorty's area performances. Shorty was a big influence on Jimi. "I hear my licks in Purple Haze and Hey Joe. He told me the reason he started setting his guitar on fire was because he couldn't do the back flips like I did." recalls Shorty.

*photo by Alison Blackman

In 1990, while on tour in England, Shorty recorded an album called: "My Way Or The Highway" which received the Blues Music Award for "Contemporary Foreign Blues Album Of The Year" He received a W.C. Handy Award nomination for Blues Album of the Year for WATCH YOUR BACK in 2005. His latest album, "We the People" incorporates a new band and more rock rhythms featuring Shorty's signature "screaming" guitar. The latest interest in Shorty has landed him on Itunes and other online points of purchase where new, younger fans can learn about Shorty's music.

The photo above shows Shorty with his new bass player.

Shorty's new band has only been playing together for less than a dozen gigs. They all expressed their enthusiasm about what an honor it is to with with the great, Guitar Shorty. It was interesting to me to see the way he queued the various band members and how the personality of even some of his biggest hits have changed with the infusion of new views and talent in his backup band.

Last night, Shorty played a few songs from We The People, including the title track, "We the People," along with favorites such as "Hey Joe" and "Jody." After listening to some of these songs for years, it was evident that his new band members, all from Texas, added a more "Texas roadhouse" sound to the blues numbers, and make the more rock-oriented numbers fresh and modern, but still blues-y.

Shorty played until way past midnight, and even though it was a Wednesday and a work or school day for nearly everyone there the next day, virtually no one left the building. Shorty still walked around the crowd, playing in front of them. We have seen him actually leave the building and not come back for 15 minutes, while the band and the audience wonders: "where's Shorty?" We once witnessed Shorty leaving the building in a snowstorm, walk around the place, and come back in covered with snowflakes! Last night it was cold, and Shorty didn't go outside, but he still played the guitar with his teeth and other body parts!

Shorty has three web sites. The oldest is http://www.guitarshorty.org but the new one is even better: http://www.guitarshorty.com and he is also soon to launch, http://www.guitarshorty.biz You can get his tour dates, news, and purchase cds and T-shirts (the newest, featuring the "We The People" Tour is great)!

If you haven't ever heard of Guitar Shorty, now you have...so go out and get his albums and check him out in person if he comes to your town. You'll be very, very glad you did.

American Idol, idle waste of time?

Tonight we watched the entire show of American Idol. I'd never watched previous seasons, but when I was flipping channels and saw the show, I decided to devote some time to watching it. I have always wondered why this show makes some people so besotted that they'll hold all their calls until the show is over and they will even pay money to "vote" for their favorite contestants.

After watching, I'm confused. I still am not sure what it is that draws people. My husband got bored and started working on his computer, and I had to strain to stay focused when man after man got up, sang, and was criticized. You didn't even get to learn who the audience was voting for, or who Simon Cowell and the other judges think should go home. Mostly, all you could take away from this is a mixed message that out of all the talent in America (at least those willing to endure the audition process) this is the best of the best, and they're still just "so-so."

I am not sure what draws a crowd here. It is just "bread and circuses," the proverbial Christians being fed to the lions in a modern version? Do we just want a fired waiter, or a mechanic down on his luck, or a new father who wants his newborn baby to be proud of him, to "win" big so we can say that you really don't need just looks or money or brains to be something special?

What I do know is that both the 12 men and the 12 women selected for the finals look eerily like clones of themselves, and other "pop stars." The untucked shirts, the curls for girls, the scary-white smiles.

Something did stike me as odd: the supposedly-nasty Simon Cowell (and he was just nasty enough that if i were up there, my lip would at least tremble) kept saying that he didn't see anything special in the men in this group, even though they sung their hearts out. Actually, I agree (and I think his "honesty" is a bit much, but I liked it better than the faux flattery and artificial, goony audience reactions). But Simon...didn't you and your cohort-judges pick these people? So I'm not sure...not sure at all why out of literally thousands of people who tried out, the judges could only come up with a group of so-so contestants.

Most of the guys were nothing special, but at the very least, the show could redeem itself if it were a fair fight. I'm hoping that the songsters with the chemically whitened smiles, the good hair, and the buff bodies shape up their vocal chords and come up with something special that really entertains. Or, barring that, I hope that the ones with the better voices who aren't so cute or buff or slick (at least not yet) make it through and show that talent, really still does count and you can only get so far on your looks in this world. Show me something that hooks me instead of an endless round of bland songs by bland people with bland talent. Then I might have a reason to stick it out for more shows.


To be sure, I couldn't get up and sing as well as any of these people, although I do have perfect pitch and would make a decent judge. Simon Cowell said he didn't want to patronize the viewers at home, but isn't that just what this show does? I'm still not sure...not sure why I'd bother to watch the young, thin, predictably cute (with the exceptional of a few overweight, wacky singers) continue to strut their stuff, the SAME stuff...singing the same sort of sappy, unosphisticated songs I could hear in a bad piano bar, more than once? Worse, if Mr. Cowell doesn't want to patronize us, why not put together a show where the audience actually matters and where we can do more than just value celebrity, season after season, putting our hopes on strangers.

I am not sure about a lot of things, but I am certain that I will not be watching American Idol very often....ok....maybe the final, final, final round.

Zang Toi-Mercedez Benz Fashion Week (last but not least)

*I meant to post this last week but was waiting for Allison Joyce's photos...so last, but not least....Zang Toi!

The last show I attended at Mercedez Benz Fashion Week was that of Zang Toi. I wondered when I recieved my invitation why the time for the show was listed ast 3.57. I later learned that the designer, Zang Toi, was born and raised in Malaysia, and thinks the number "four" is a bad omen that sounds like the word for "death" in Cantonese. Apparently, Zang Toi won't use the number "4" for anything, so when he was given the time slot of 4pm on Friday, February 9th to mount his show, he requested that people assemble at 3"47 instead of having to list 4pm.

Apparently, the time slot was popular with fashionistas, many of whom arrived early, invitations in hand, only to be given standing room slots. I was one of the members of the press that was invited, but received a standing room ticket. I was close to the front of the standing room line and I really wanted to see the show, but it was not only delayed (nothing special about that--many of the shows are delayed) but the standing room line was so long it was doubtful that many of us would get in.

Finally, someone walked down the standing room line asking if there were any writers or photographers in the line and called us out to walk in first. Allison Joyce, an up-and-coming young photographer taking photos for The Advice Sisters for this show, and I, found places to see the show. Me, from the third row (behind some tall people whose heads appear in too many of my Zang Toi photos), Allison, from the side of the photographer's pit.


Photo by Alison Blackman


photo by Allison Joyce


This settled into a director's chair (behind two very tall people with big hair, alas), I checked out the runway. At the front there was a large black and white poster with Zang Toi's logo, surrounded by deep, red, roses. This was the backdrop for day and evening clothes that exluded elegance and extravagance, but were still quite wearable.

The theme of the show was "The Iconic Catherine Denueve." I didn't quite "get" that from the 43 looks that went down the runway (quite a lot of clothes, I thought). But it was quite a show! Lush brocade, lots of fur, jewelled pins, and collars of beads that make additional jewelry totally redundant, sashayed down the runway on models with large halo poufs of romantic, ruffed curls by Eiji Salon. The makeup was done by NARS, and I'll try to get you more information so you can "do the look" for Fall. Manicures, which I didn't get close enough to see, were by J. Sisters.

These styles are extravagant, a bit bohemian, and expensive looking. There were deep, jewel-toned colors...red, green, rust, beige, and more! Although I'm not familiar with Zang Toi's past collections, this one said "fun" and "youthful" to me. The clothes were a also a bit irreverant--just the kind of thing I can image Patty Hearst wearing to a cotillion, during her days before she was kidnapped! (photo by Allison Joyce)

If you don't want to see your clothes on every other woman out there, and you've got the "means," Zang Toi might be just the prescription!

I was on NPR's FAith Game with Faith Saile last night but....

On Monday afternoon, I was invited to tape what was billed as a "Valentine's Day Segment" for the edgy, new NPR radio show "Fair Game" with host, Faith Salie. I didn't really have a lot of time to prepare, but I was told that all I had to do was answer some questions about relationships.

Since I've been writing about relationships for years and years, and love to be a guest on radio shows, how could I resist?

So, even though it was bitterly cold and I was busy, I paid a visit to the "studio" of Gideon Evans to tape my segment. Before the taping began, I told Gideon that I was aware Fair Game is heavy on political satire and commentary. I'd asked on the phone, but again, I asked if my segment was going to be a serious one, and if not, how did he need me to play it? I asked, because I had a sneaking suspicion that I wasn't getting the entire story and that's just the way Fair Game wanted it. Gideon had been a producer on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. The host, Faith Salie, wasn't there and wasn't going to interview me, but she has a thing for erudiate but oddball guests who do not indulge in "everyday" subjects I focus on, mainly life, love and career.

When Gideon assured me that all he wanted was for me to reply to the questions about relationship that he was going to ask, just as I normally would, in a straightforward, professional manner, I agreed to do the show. Actually, I thought his questions were thought-provoking and intelligent, as were my answers. We talked about differences in politics, what advice I might give politicians who want to date, and so forth. Gideon was charming. He said I was, too. The experience was actually, fun.

But it wasn't so much fun when I listened to the show last night. I didn't expect my entire interview (about 20 minutes) to be on the air, but what was on the show reminded me of how easily you can be maniupulated by the media. If you listen to Wednesdays show or download the podcast at precisely 22.30 minutes into the 50-minute+ show Black Holes, Neuroscience, and Michael Jackson you will hear a segment tucked into a discourse about the unlikely "love match" between Senator Joe Lieberman and President George W. Bush. In that tiny segment, my voice appears with one sound byte of my serious and sound advice (meant for romantic couples, of course). I am introduced only as "Advice Sister Alison" (hey guys, my legal name is Alison Blackman aka " Advice Sister Alison" .....couldn't you have at least used my real name?). I'm quoted as saying that anything couples do behind closed doors is their own business ...and there's something about ritual animal slaughter as well. My advice would have been witty and pithy in a relationship-oriented sense, but to hear it coyly attributed in a discussion about Joe and George, was at the very least, disconcerting. I guess I should look on the bright side. I had fun taping the show and every taping is good experience for the next time. And, at least the producers used one of my quotes (in an obviously innocently-silly context). No politicians, animals or an Advice Sisters were harmed in the process. But still, if I'd just been told the truth in the first place I could have decided not to participate, or to be my own, wacky self, my own way.

As to George and Joe, if you or you staff listened to the show last night, I had NOTHING to do with it (wan smile)

Happy Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's Day. Perhaps no other holiday in the entire American culture is fraught with so much emotion, both positive and negative. It starts when you are a kid in school, where the popular kids got more of those cheesy little valentine's than the other kids, and the feeling that, perhaps, you will be "left out" never quite leaves most people.

No one is really sure how Valentine's Day began, but we know it has roots back in Roman Times, so I guess a lot of people have been disappointed or delighted on February 14th. If you are with someone, you wonder if s/he is going to "forget" about the holiday, leaving you without a card, chocolates, or something better. If you are not with someone, the chances are that even if it is by choice, that feeling you got back in school (see above) will hit at some hour of the day...maybe lots of hours, actually.

Although I have a thoughtful husband who sent me two dozen roses on Monday (so I'd be able to enjoy them longer...) and a card, today, I think that V-day is really more than just telling your romantic partner that you love them (although 14K and flowers always works it's magic on me, ha, ha. In the best of all worlds, you would tell the people that you love them every day, and they would affirm the same for you. In the real, and busy world we live in, V-day should be about love, but not just the romantic kind. Let's all take take a moment, really take a moment, to tell those we love how much we appreciate them.

This morning one of the first things I did was to call my 87 1/2-year old father, who sometimes doesn't even remember my name anymore. I got him on the phone and I told him he had been a great dad, and that I loved him. I am not sure he remembered what Valentine's Day was, but there was no mistaking the joy in his voice when I told him how much I appreciate him in my life, and how great it is that he is still here. And, I hugged my cats and gave them treats (I seriously doubt that telling them I love them in words could be accomplished any better than giving them cat yummies). I emailed my friends, and my called my brother-in-law, who doubtless, is feeling the loss yet another year gone by, of my twin sister, Advice Sister Jessica. I emailed cheesy cards to friends, especially those I know have no family and no romantic partners to share with.

I am lucky in love, but not everyone is. If you are reading this and you're feeling lonely, sad, or dissapointed this Valentine's Day, try to take a moment to reach out to the people who support you, or just make you smile. They'll appreciate it, and you'll feel better, too. V-day is just 24 hours and then it's over. Love should be there, every day.

Fashion Week--Must-Haves

In my post of February 1st on this blog I wrote: "for 7 days those of us involved in Fashion Week will live in an altered reality. There will be memorable people to meet, and some who aren't so nice. There will be connections to make, and some that only last for the amount of time you are standing on the line to enter the show. We will know what's coming in fashion, but we can't know what's coming for the next 7 days until we live them.

Fashion Week is over. Every season I've attended, I find the experience to be like a roller-coaster ride. First, there's the anticipation. Then, there's the growing excitement as the first shows reveal a glimpse of our fashion future (for the next season, at least). Mid-week, there's exaustion: "Why am I subjecting myself to the intensity of this?" The intensity continues to build as the shows draw to a close. Who will show us something new and exciting? Whose collection will flop? What other news will affect us? This year, the death of Anna Nicole Smith, and the bitterly cold weather, were two big topics of conversation.

On Friday, after all of the above, I always feel a bit of a let-down as I bid farewell to the tents, my 7-day home-away-from-home. But the title of this blog post is "Fashion Week Must Haves." Here's what I simply couldn't be without --- followed by things I would definitely ditch (if it were up to me), and a few closing thoughts on Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Fall 2007:

Fashion Week Must-Haves:

Clothes: really warm coat (will definitely get dirty since it will be dragged on floors, spilled on backstage, and rumpled in standing room). Comfortable shoes (heels tend to turn into flats, and then into sneakers as the week goes by) . Gel pads for comfortable shoes (no shoe is really comfortable after you've been standing all day). Layered clothing (you're going to get HOT, and then COLD, and then HOT, and then COLD...)!

Handbag: this is the second season that I've used a Butler Bag to carry all my essentials. It is sturdy, with inside compartments that let you see exactly what is inside without fumbling and fishing. It has seen me through travel, interviews, launch parties, and even a few dinner dates!

Emergency Kit: Tape (for everything from a broken camera to a ripped hem), Batteries (for the two digital cameras, audio voice recorder, and MP3Player I carry), Aleve and Aspirin (for aching feet and bones); Pens and pads (lots of them)...the MAC booth is a godsend but thick-barrelled pens are easier on the hands when you're taking lots of notes; A great, lightweight tote (for all the above)

Makeup Must-haves: Lots of lip balm and treatments (Einstein Lip Theory, Z. Bigatti Re-Storation Lip Pout and Re-Storation Lip Envy, Damage Reveral Lip Treatment by Patricia Wexler, M.D., ANEW Clinical plump & Smooth by Avon), Hair products (Redken, Got2B, Warren Tricomi, Aveda, Bumble & Bumble), great brushes, and a hair straightener by Maxius.
Eye shadow that won't run, crease, or quit: Stila, Trish McEvoy, Laura Mercier, NARS, MAC)
Blush that won't run, crease, or quit (Boots No.7, Tarte, Jillian Dempsey for Avon). A great foundation and base that won't run, crease, or quit: Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet, Anew Age Transforming Foundation, Biotherm Light!). A great Mascara that won't run, flake, or fade: best of the best: Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Dior, Bourjois, Clinique...Q-Tips!....Great Hand and Body Creams (Zia Age-Defying Hand Treatment, Essie Smoothies, Lady Primrose Royal Extract Body Creme, Phytomer BodyRexlax).

Food: Thanks to DHL in the tents for the coffee, I really appreciated it. Still, you've got to eat sometime. If you don't want to leave the tents, and can't squeeze your way into the little "cafe" area inside, seasons past there were sponsors offering power bars, yogurt, mints, etc. This year, we got to look at gorgeous cars, but there wasn't a snack in site. Bring your own water, too. These are still given out, but bring your own water bottle or juice pack, if you want to be sure you are properly hydrated.

Business Cards: I can't believe how many people don't have them (or enough of them) for Fashion Week!

...Michael from New Jersey, a firefighter and Fashion Week Security Guard --and ALL the security guards and service personnel who are polite and patient (you guys have a rough job, and we all know it)! ...and Michael....definitely do enter yourself as a model for the next fire-fighters calender...you'll be a hunky hit!

DEFINITELY DITCH:

Overuse of the word "chicettes," chicas," "fashionistas" and "fabulous" (once or twice is ok but "gag me" when it's used more often)

Non-essential guests who get great seats, while members of the press and the buyers are standing in the back. Also impossibly long standing room lines that are first come first served. Suggestion to IMG: Why not let working press (who paid for the ability to report on the shows) move up to the front of the standing room line if they do not have assigned seats and the standing room line is very long? Press need to get in to to their jobs more than the merely curious do.

The ("new") idea that "by invitation only" (and you didn't get one) means you are apparently less "fabulous" than some other folks, while you are in full view of them (and a sign that says "be fabulous").

Daily suites once open to all with creds, now mystifying if you didn't get the "missive"

Internet writers who report on shows and parties as a clique of cronies, pretending that they were flooded with invitations (but only one person really gets in and files a report for all the others "as-if" ). Sharing info is ok, but please keep the internet credible and honest, and say your content is second hand.

Hotel lobbies where a "fash week" invitation gets you through to the elevators or else, you're left out in the cold.

Cold Weather...can't wait for Spring!

Some Final Thoughts On Mercedez Benz Fashion Week Fall 2007:

Fashion week is like a wedding: it brings out the best, and the worst, in the best in people. Mostly it brings out the best in them...but there are always a few exceptions. There are new connections to be made, and the type of instant bonding that takes place when you're all in the same place and situation, together. Easy laughter over a drink or a shared seat in the Lycra Lounge. Alas, there are also attendees who feel more "entitled" than others. they are rude and pushy. They take other people's assigned seats and refuse to move. Some even steal products out of goodie bags that or take entire bags that don't belong to them. We're not just talking one thing or one bag....-I saw a man literally take an ENTIRE ROW of little bags off the back row at a major show! How many beauty products or T-shirts could you really need?

And, while my own visibility continues to grow, I'm still aware that the fashion week I experience as a member of the Internet press is different from that of the very high profile press. I'm in the majority of journalists who attend to do a job, and pass the information on to people who will probably never get closer to the tents than seeing them on TV. We do not arrive in furs and limo at the last minute, waving an invite with a seat assignment already on it (front row, or second row at the very worst). We do not walk directly to our seats...we wait..and wait...and wait some more. We do have a shared experience with the "Annas" and "Patricks" and other "must-have" front-row faces, though: we are united in our interest in being part of the experience, and viewing the newest clothes and trends.

I feel fortunate to receive press credentials to cover these shows as I have done for a number of seasons (I believe that I was one of the first Internet writers to receive credentials). I feel even more fortunate that I have a network of related professionals who know my work, understand the power of the Internet (and the power of my international audience), and respect my professionalism,. Due to them, I was able to cover more of backstage than ever before. My sincere appreciation to all of you that made it possible to pass information and experiences on to my readers.

My writing is always first-hand. If I don't experience something, I don't pretend that I did, just to boost ratings or readers. My style is 100% "up-close-and-personal." So....to the designers and sponsors who don't know me or are not sure they need my online coverage need to, let me show you what I can do. If you, or any of your assistants/friends/staff/colleagues/publicists/clients read The Advice Sisters through this blog, my web site, the What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion Review columns, my bi-monthly Enews, or my Myspace.com page and like what has been written about other designers, maybe next year I will get close enough to your clothes, products or services to report on them! Please contact me and put me on your media list.

See you NEXT season!

I arrived backstage early this morning for Carmen Marc Valvo's show, because I was going to see Odile Gilbert for REDKEN creating an amazing, modern take on a chignon for the designer's always elegant show. When I arrived, Odile was already busy with the model's explaining everything she was doing on tape for REDKEN *watch for their fantastic podcasts coming soon (I will add a link to these when they are available). As Odile explained last season, it's always best to go to a salon and have a stylist who knows what s/he is doing create a complicated look. You can see in this photo that it takes a couple of pairs of hands to do the finished look (see below). Hair is pulled into a ponytail high on the hear (or a hair extension is add first if a model didn't have long enough hair). REDKEN products, mostly lots of REDKEN #09 Spray, was used to create texture and shine, and of course, hold hair in place. sectioned off and "Curved" around the forehead like a jaunty hat. Here's what it looks like from the front.

On the runway, this look was elegant, and caused quite a stir in the audience. I could hear more than one woman whisper: "I want my hair too look like that!!"

The makeup was done by Tom Pechaux with the MAC Pro Team. Some of the colors won't be available until closer to Fall, but check out my FEATURE in a few weeks and I've give you all the colors, what's available when, and how to get the look. Meanwhile, as you can see from the photo below, EYES are again the focus, with a totally nude lip and matte skin. Julie St. Laurent from the MAC Pro Team suggests that if the pale look isn't flattering, warm up your matte skin with a sheer wash of blush.

Here's the elegant, finished look both hair and makeup!

Carmen Marc Valvo's gowns are to die for gorgeous, but according to Deauville, Carmen's personal assistant, the designer doesn't want people to die of cancer, either. A cancer suvivor himself, who the designer created a special white T-shirt with gold design that many of his dressers and other staff were wearing backstage. This shirt, I was told, was done in memory of his mother, who passed away from cancer. The T-shirt supports "Breakaway from Cancer" --to help raise awareness and funds to support the millions of people affected by cancer. The inspiration behind the design was a circle of support that surrounds an individual while battling cancer. The shirt is beautiful and the cause, very worthy. Check out www.breakawayfromcancer.com if you'd like to get one ($28.00 each--and 100% of your purchase goes to Breakaway from Cancer).

The clothes were amazing, too. The sleek aesthetic of mid-century modern design was his inspiration. The program notes say that Valvo was intrigued by the clean craftmanship and sculptural forms of that era's most dynamic interior and furniture designers. Cocktail dresses crafted from strips, pleated organza, crocodile and cashmere, metallic ribbons with lacquered chiffons, and other unusual combinations of fabrics coming together in modern, unique ways. The neutral palette of mid-century design: nickel, titanium, black, and ivory with hits of moss and purple looked fresh, modern and still elegant and red-carpet ready. It was Valvo as his loyal followers know and love him, made more modern.

* photos by Alison Blackman Dunham

Yesterday I mentioned the hair and makeup for Cynthia Rowley's Fall @007 collection..I'll be going into that in more detail on the Advice Sisters Web Site in full features with "get the look" information for you.

Cynthia Rowley is model thin (maybe she was a model previously), and has the trim, slee, ageless look that women covet. Her collection is always youthful in spirit, but wearable by women who are more than girls, as well as chic young women. The clothes in this collection were meant to mirror the colors of the aurora borealis and that's not all...the styles were classic, but not quite....more "edgy" and "futuristic" than what first meets the eye. She is always mobbed by photographers and reporters, and is always patient and gracious with them. Here is she before the show.

It is SO not true that models don't eat! They just need something work tasting! Paul W. McGourty of Rady to Eat Catering & Take Away provided a tasty buffet for the models. He is located on Hudson Street in Soho (http://www.readytoeat.net/) The models were tucking into antipasto, little sandwiches, crositini with beef and cornichons, and more! (Here's paul below with some hot and bite-sized yummies).

The runway had Sherwin Williams colors in some sort of cellophane, submerged in boxes with lucite covers, making a colorful walkway for the models. And there was color in this collection, too. There was a dress with a trompe l'oeil braid painted on it, featuring jeweled braids as necklaces (and the model was wearing a braid too, of course). I have photos of this I am saving for the big feature on the Advice Sisters Web Site in a few weeks. I particularly liked a short, shiny, black satin dress heavily detailed with trapunto stitching and a short, pink metallic sheath. Metallic skirts shown with black tights with part-colored metallic shimmer. Naturally, the dresses were all short, not a drippy dress in the bunch!

After the show (which was met with great enthusiasm by the audience in the packed Gotham Hall, I ventured upstairs for the press preview of the AVON Cynthia Rowley Color Collection. Wait until you see how cute the compacts are!!!! *check out my Advice Sisters web site FEATURES page soon....

Anna Nicole Smith--a few quick thoughts

I can't remember if it was Vogue's Diana Vreeland, or society hostess Nan Kempner who said: "you can never be too rich or too thin," but Anna Nicole Smith aspired to both, and had too little of either for too short a period of time.

I only met this poor woman who was the darling of tabloid trash and the object of more than just a few jeers, once. During a Fashion Week party a few season's back, I spied her http://www.advicesisters.net/advicesisters.net/2005_09_01_advicesistersblogarchive.html wearing literally, nothing and slowly dancing on a table while wrapping herself around a column. I wanted to introduce myself, but she was zonked-out on something (or several things) and seemed so out of it (and into her own world) I didn't want to bother her.


What seems so tragic about Anna Nicole is that she was a woman who wanted more....to be rich...to be thin. She had both, but couldn't hold on to either for any period of time.

I learned about Anna Nicole's death from another Nicole (who works for REDKEN) during backstage preparations for the Cynthia Rowley Runway Show last night. I guess neither of us was suprised (we both assumed it was drugs or diet pills or both) but we were sad. If Anna Nicole was just another single mother who had been through a number of ups and downs far less sensational that Ms. Smith's we never would have known about it, or cared. Like Marilyn Monroe (and many compare Smith to Marilyn), we only know about you from what the press wanted us to think.

I hope your new baby will not just "know" you through what has been written about you. My condolences to your family and friends. I hope that they---your mother, your baby's father, and all of those friends who know who you really are underneath the big hair and loud makeup (and sometimes outrageous behavior) will tell your child the GOOD things about you and your life.

RIP Anna Nicole.

Cynthia Rowley, Rocks it with Redken and Avon

Cynthia Rowley's runway show at the great and glamorous Gotham Hall was one of my favorites last season, and this year didn't disappoint either. I'll talk about the clothes briefly here, but will be adding more about them in a full feature in a few weeks focusing also on the hair (by fabulous REDKEN) and the makeup (a brilliant, new Cynthia Rowley for AVON Fall 2007 Color Collection). I checked to see who is reading this block, and discovered that along with all the readers the Advice Sisters have in English speaking countries, the past few entries in this blog have been translated into a number of languages, the most popular being French, Chinese, German, Japanese, Turkish, Korean, Dutch; Flemish, Arabic, and Greek ! I am flattered that someone would take the time to translate "The Advice Sisters!" If you are visiting this blog, please let me know. Leave a COMMENT! I'd appreciate it.

But back to Cynthia Rowley: As I walked through the backstage area, I spied a group of people with needle and thread, quietly stitching together what seemed to be a 30-foot brunette braid (3o foot braid?!). I was informed by REDKEN lead stylist Rodney Cutler that this giant braid was for the finale of the show. It would be attached to the head of just one model, and the rest of the models would hold it as the walked their last looks down the runway. As they stiched the braids together to make one long chain, it writhed and wiggled like a giant snake emerging from primordial ooze. It was a bit freaky, actually, but looked great on the runway and got murmurs and a few giggles from the audience.

As you might have already guessed, it was braids that were the theme of the hair for the Cynthia Rowley show. Rodney didn't do "pigtail" type braids, but instead, sophisticated, sleek, shiny hair with no part held tight to the head by a number of REDKEN styling products (see a view of the products below). How much and what was used depended upon the texture and length of the model's hair, but as you can see from the photo on the right, all those REDKEN products may each girls' hair sleek and shiny. The finished look was youthful (as are Cynthia Rowley's clothes), but still sophisticated, fresh and pretty, not silly, wacky, or out of place.

Actually, I got the the Gotham Hall early, before my REDKEN contacts arrived, but discovered that most of my contacts from the public relations firm Tractenberg, were already in place at the doors and inside the backstage area (they were handling the PR for AVON and for the press reception for the Cynthia Rowley for AVON Fall 2007 Color Collection) after the show. I was eager to see it.

AVON has several new collections that are quite beautiful, and the one For the Cynthia Rowley show is stunning! You are going to want to buy all o fit. As luck with have it, the lead on the collection, Jillian Dempsey, had just given birth to twins a few days prior, so she had her friend, makeup artist Tina Turnbow do the model's makeup instead. FYI: Tina learned her craft by assisting celebrated makeup artists such as Kay Montano and Pat McGrath, and works with celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway, Julianne Moore, and Joan Allen, among others.

As with many of the makeup looks for Fall, this one for Cynthia Rowley is all about the EYES (are you getting the theme for Fall, 2007 from all these blog entries?) . I had the opportunity to see Tina apply the makeup to the first model and explain it to her assistants. I was sitting down among them (maybe not such a good idea, but I knew I'd been on my feet for hours, and it was a free chair). At one point, Tina suddenly stopped what she was doing, and looked right at me : "Who are YOU?" she said in a voice that reminded me of the Caterpillar on the Hookah in Alice in Wonderland. "Uh, Oh, I'm a writer and reporter" I mumbled (as humble as Dorothy adressing the Wizard). Thankfully, one of the lovely women from Tractenberg confirmed my reason for being there and once the mystery was cleared up. Tina went right back to work, and I went right back to work too, taking notes!

The new, AVON Cynthia Rowley makeup collection is remarkable, not just for it's wearable and quite beautiful palette, but also because it translated uniquely to each model. I'm not going give away the secrets to getting this beautiful Cynthia Rowley makeup look from AVON today....you'll have to wait until my feature on the show is posted on the Advice Sisters Web Site http://www.advicesisters.net....but I will say that the collection will be available through AVON for Fall 2007 and it will work it's magic for you as well *Watch my FEATURES PAGE on advicesisters.net http://www.advicesisters.net/Features/Features.html for a complete description of how to get the goods, and do the look (coming in a few weeks).

The look was all about a fresh face (no foundation, just a bit of brightening powder, concealer and a dusting of face powder if necessary). As with most of the shows I've seen this week, the focus is all on the eyes. This time, in a palette of violet and grey with some shimmer and lots of mascara. The model I quickly snapped in the photo above is a thousand times more beautiful than this photo shows, but it gives you a great look at the eyes. Note that the lips are pink and very, very shiny. The new Cynthia Rowley Color Collection for AVON lip gloss is unbelievable!a definite must have for your Fall makeup wardrobe.

As you can see from the model above, the eyes are the thing. The look was all about a fresh face (no foundation, just a bit of brightening powder, concealer and a dusting of face powder if necessary). Eyes were done in a palette of violet and grey (with some shimmer) and lots of mascara. There was just a bit of pink blush to warm up the face. The model I quickly snapped in the photo above is much more beautiful than this photo shows, but it gives you a great look at the eyes. Note that the lips are pink and very, very shiny. The new Cynthia Rowley Color Collection for AVON lip gloss is unbelievable!a definite "must have" for your Fall makeup wardrobe.

Holland America Line's Noordam Culinary Arts Center

I took a break from Fashion Week for an invitation I just couldn't refuse. I was honored to be included in a gathering of chefs, travel agents, writers, and other interested parties onboard the beautiful Holland America Line's glamorous cruise ship, the Noordam. Just about a year ago, I was onboard for the introductory overnight event of this stunning cruise ship (see "Nighttime on the Noordam) in my blog archives: http://www.advicesisters.net/advicesisters.net/2006_02_01_advicesistersblogarchive.html

The Noordam has a beautiful library, state-of-the-art computer center, an awesome, Waterford Crystal chandelier that can be raised and lowered, like the ones at the Metropolitan Opera house in New York, staterooms with spacious balconies, and lots of other great features. By far the most unique feature on Holland America Line ships are the Culinary Arts Centers, in partnership with "Food and Wine" magazine.

Holland America launched this innovative program back in 2005, and now there is a Culinary Arts Center onboard each of 13 Holland America line ships. Guests get printed recipes of the items being prepared, and they get to taste them, too! Several times each cruise, passengers enjoy "food network" style programming, featuring cooking demonstrations and hands-on cooking classes. While passengers sit in this space, outfitted with comfy love seats, mini-couches, and cafe tables, celebrity chefs share their recipes and techniques. The program win raves from the passengers (passengers sign up on a first-come-first served basis when they board the ship).

In the front of the lounge, there is a fully-stocked kitchen area with large plasma video screens on either side, so everyone can see the "close up" preparations, regardless of where they are sitting. Obviously, these programs are extremely popular, so I like the fact that the cooking demonstrations are also part of the in-stateroom programming. If you can't or didn't make it to the show, but want to see it, that's still an option. In addition to the cooking demos, there are at least two 90-minute, hands-on cooking classes offered on every cruise (the cost is just $29 per session!). These special sessions have a limited enrollment of just 12 people. As cooking classes go, this is a true bargain, especially when you factor in the skill of the chef you're learning from!

Our special luncheon and cooking demonstration was designed to bring attention to this innovative program. After getting past the various security checkpoints and onto the ship, we enjoyed a brief tour, and then a cocktail reception (champagne, wine, soda) in the spacious Queens Lounge, that houses the Noordam's Culinary Arts Center.

Richard D. Meadows, the Executive Vice-President of Holland America Line, and Gail Simmons of Food & Wine Magazine made some remarks, and then the fun, really began: Julie Reiner, Director/Owner of the Flatiron Lounge to a very delicious, grapefruit juice and gin-based cocktail (on top of the champagne, it gave us all quite a warm buzz). It was announced that Julie was going to be cruising on the Noordam with her mother! Then we were treated to an appetizer featuring scallops and one with a "sambal" in it (there are lots of Indonesian crew members on HAL ships. I distinctly remember from a cruise I took on the Maasdam to Greece some years ago, that this spicy, condiment was very popular with them, so it's no surprise that this would be available, onboard).

I really like this up-close-and-personal venue. Every cruise ship has "something" that makes it special. The Noordam has many, including an attention to detail and an elegance that is sadly lacking on my cruise lines, today. But the Culinary Arts Center program is tremendous fun, and an opportunity to take back a "souvenir" that won't fade like a tan, or be put in the back of a closet. It's just another reason Holland America appeals to upscale, educated adults who have "been there, done that" when it comes to traditional cruise activities and want something more in tune with their interests than pool games and bingo.

Eating is a sensory treat on the Noordam whether it's a special luncheon, or a casual dinner in the Lido. In fact, the regular dining room is quite beautiful, rivalling the elegance of many other ships in it's class, with gold-rimmed dishes and lots of gleaming crystal. In this main dining room passengers are assigned one of four formal seating times. I prefer open seating for it's flexibility, but at least having four meal seatings instead of two means that everyone gets a chance to eat at a time that is reasonably suitable for them.

Our lunch, however, was held in the Pinnacle Grill, the ship's alternative restaurant. It is very large for this type of room. Still, it manages to feel intimate, with tables set at different angles and along with balcony leading to the lounge, with seating for as few as two people, to large, oval conference room-style tables that seat 8-10. The opulent china is by Bulgari, the linens, perfectly starched. I could imagine myself staring dreamily out to sea, while sipping a good wine, and enjoying a gourmet meal....!

The luncheon planned for us included an lamb Entree by Michael Symon, Executive Chef/Owner of Parea, and a chocolate sorbet dessert by Pichet Ong, Executive Pastry Chef/Owner of P*ong. More than 52 celebrated chefs, wine experts, and even some cookbook authors, from some of the most exciting restaurants around the country, have graced Holland America's ships. The food was lovely, definitely not your standard "cruise ship fare" in either presentation, quality, or taste. One of my table mates had the vegetarian entree instead of the lamb, and she said her salmon was "quite nice."

During the cooking demonstrations in the Culinary Arts Center, we were told about the new, Holland America Cookbook which showcases Holland America Line's Fine dining. I didn't get a chance to look at it, but I'm intrigued. What a wonderful memento of a cruise this makes far nicer than a boring T-shirt (standard gift fare for the folks back home)!

In the golden age of ocean liner travel, a good meal in a formal setting was the highlight of the day's activities. Holland America brings the feeling back on it's elegant ships...and allows it's guests to take a bit of that elegance back home, through the Culinary Arts Center.

Bill Blass --Bravo! Fall Fashion Week 2007

Most (if not all) of the models in the Bill Blass show were too young to recognize their struttin' music--a fantastic song from the 1940's: "Sing Sing Sing" by Benny Goodman. This vintage swing song with a driving drum beat, was made undeniably modern in a remix by Johnny Dynell featuring an even heavier drum beat that continued throughout the entire show: "Boom! Boom! Boom-Boom da-boom!" The sound added burlesque irreverence to the feminine Fall 2007 fashions.

As we'd see when the lights came up and a "curtain" featuring the iconic Bill Blass logo parted, Michael Vollbracht's homage to the past and view of Fall 2007 was also a mix of vintage-made-modern, but with a touch of rebellion. A large curtain (with the iconic Bill Blass Logo) parted, and models brashly strode right down the middle of the runway: "Boom! Boom! Boom-Boom da-boom!"

The beat may have been largely"stripper," but these were not trashy clothes. This label is attracting younger women as well as loyal followers who are (now a bit older than when they first fell in love with Bill Blass. We saw beautifully tailored day clothes, elegant, red-carpet-worthy evening gowns, in colors (yes, colors)! Deep green, moss green, gold, cinnamon, olive green, cocoa, indigo blue, champagne, coral...! Of course there was plenty of classic black, too. "Boom! Boom! Boom-Boom da-boom!"




In this photo I took at the end of the show, when the models did their final walks down the runway, pausing to form little groups and then becoming animated (a rarity on runways) and walking backstage together. The clothes are so ladylike, but if you look closer, there's an edge to them. This is not your mother's Bill Blass, but it's still recognizable. There was something very delicate and feminine about the collection--any modern woman would look beautiful in classic basic black cocktail and evening dresses and nicely tailored separates for daytime. There were a few interesting departures from classic, such as a white feathered embroidered cocktail dress that reminded me of a flapper's dress from the 1920's. Another great note: the 50's-style hair, parted on one side and piled up in huge buns by Jimmy Paul for Bumble & Bumble that immediately felt modern 50's to me--a nod to Tippi Hedren in Hitchcock's "The Birds" re-mixed for 2007. I couldn't see the makeup because I wasn't backstage or up close, but the program notes tell me the MAC Cosmetics pro team created this look, so I will get more information for a feature, later on. "Boom! Boom! Boom-Boom da-boom!"

Although there has been a lot of attention paid to furs--whether to wear them or not, furs were in this show and there have been more than ever on the runways (and no PETA protestors in sight). Blass also followed the trend of adding heavy tights (everywhere on the runways).

Furs were from Global Fur Group, Handbags from Carlos Falchi. Shoes, by Bill Blass.

Here is the designer with some of his models at the end of the show. I thought it was interesting that in a few places the notes say "Halston-like" and "Norrell-like. Michael Vollbracht apparently wanted to take inspiration from the past (although he had plenty that was uniquely his) and, as it says in the program notes that he was inspired by Halston and Norrell because: "I fell in love (Norrell's) sequined mermaids years and years ago when I was a very young designer and about Halston: "'because his simple philosophy looks so good in this era of over-designing. " And of Bill Blass: "it is my job to knock him off."

"Boom! Boom! Boom-Boom da-boom!!!!!"

Mini goodie-bags held Bill Blass Eau de Parfum (*watch the Advice Sisters upcoming What Works column for more on this simply divine scent)!

Vanidades Fashion Lounge Presentations During Fash Week Fall 2007!

On Tuesday night, February 6th, I was supposed to visit the Vanidades Fashion Lounge at the Arena on West 41st Street in Manhattan, with Carl Ditmars. Alas, we were sidetracked at the last minute and never made it to the show.

But the shows by Editorial Televisa in Collaboration with Maybelline and Garnier, featured two talented Hispanic designers: Gustavo Cadile and Rafael Cennamo. Hosted by the new “face” of Maybelline, Danna Garcia, we missed seeing April Hernandez, Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera, and even America's Top Model's Jay Alexander.

As you will can see from the photos below, Argentinian designer Gustavo Cadile presented showy, red-carpet worthy dresses that had glamour and romance, but are still quite romantic and feminine. I love this one-shoulder blue gown with graceful draping, and this brilliant red gown that looks like a modern "Juliet" could win anyone's heart wearing it!

Rafael Cennamo, a Venezuelan native, also had a show that evening. The final dress of the show was literally, a show-stopper: a dramatic, red ball gown that literally covered the runway, although it is a bit reminiscent of LaCroix way back when. I mean, let's face it, who wouldn't turn heads in this (even if she couldn't turn around, herself in it! without a bit of assistance from her ladies in waiting?)